BSE: Horn Report

Lord Hardy of Wath: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the findings of the review of the origin of BSE undertaken by Professor Horn will be available.

Lord Whitty: Professor Horn has now completed his review and I have today placed a copy of his report in the Library of the House.

Intervention Board Executive Agency: Annual Report

Lord Tomlinson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish the 2000-01 Annual Report and Accounts for the Intervention Board Executive Agency.

Lord Whitty: The 2000-01 Annual Report and Accounts for the Intervention Board Executive Agency were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

Veterinary Medicines Directorate: Annual Report

Lord Tomlinson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish the 2000-01 Annual Report and Accounts for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

Lord Whitty: The 2000-01 Annual Report and Accounts for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

Veterinary Laboratory Agency

Lord Tomlinson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish the 2000-01 Annual Report and Accounts for the Veterinary Laboratory Agency.

Lord Whitty: The 2000-01 Annual Report and Accounts for the Veterinary Laboratory Agency were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

Foot and Mouth Disease: Revocation of Rights of Way Closures

Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action the Government are taking to lift blanket closures of footpaths and bridleways imposed by local authorities under the Foot and Mouth Disease Order 1983.

Lord Whitty: We have looked urgently at revoking remaining blanket closures of rights of way imposed by local authorities in England. Letters were sent to local authorities explaining the Government's proposals in more detail and inviting them to make representations if they considered they could justify retaining blanket closures beyond 20 July.
	We have now considered carefully the representations received. We have agreed that blanket closures may remain in place for the time being in Cumbria and in parts of Devon, Lancashire, Durham, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. We have also allowed Somerset to retain partial blanket closure until 27 July, and agreed with North Yorkshire their proposals for temporarily retaining closures in parts of the county. In granting these exemptions we have recognised the logistical difficulties which revocation would pose for a few authorities, particularly those hardest hit by foot and mouth disease.
	With the exception of the authorities mentioned above, all remaining closures under Article 35B will be lifted from midnight on Friday, 20 July. At midnight the following Friday, 27 July, any remaining closures under Article 35A (which allowed authorities to close individual paths outside Infected Areas without ministerial consent) will be revoked.
	These actions will ensure that public rights of way are closed only where this is justified. The department's guidance and veterinary risk assessment issued on 23 May makes clear that, except within 3 km Protection Zones around infected premises, paths may safely be reopened. We expect authorities to continue to reopen paths where this can be done safely, in line with the guidance. We shall review the position no later than early September.
	Lifting blanket closures does not mean that all paths will be open. Local authorities retain power to close individual paths, though outside Infected Areas this requires the department's consent. All such closures must be signed at entrances to the path. Authorities should use their power to close paths selectively, in the areas affected by revocation and elsewhere, only where justified on disease control grounds, in line with the department's guidance. Where paths within Protection Zones are affected by the lifting of a blanket closure, authorities should arrange for their selective re-closure where appropriate.
	People using paths should take sensible precautions to reduce even further any risk of spreading the disease. These are set out in the codes for path users accompanying the guidance to local authorities of 23 May. Authorities should publicise these precautions, particularly the need to stay off farmland if people have recently handled farm animals and to avoid going near, touching or feeding livestock.
	The Government's decision to open footpaths to walkers is entirely consistent with our strong advice to farmers to observe tight bio-security and reflects very different risks. The risks of footpath users transmitting the disease are tiny, particularly when compared with those posed by farmers and others who handle livestock.
	Foot and mouth disease remains a serious problem in a few areas and we continue to do all that is necessary to contain and eradicate it. But in most of England there is no case for wholesale closures. Keeping footpaths closed hurts the rural economy and prevents people enjoying the countryside. We have received strong representations in favour of our approach from those engaged in tourism and other rural businesses--including farmers who have diversified their activities--because of the extent to which their income has been devastated by the consequences of the outbreak. Revoking unnecessary closures now means the vast majority of our countryside will be open for the summer holidays and people will know where they can walk, cycle or ride.

Central Science Laboratory: Annual Report

Lord Lea of Crondall: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish the 2000-01 Annual Report and Accounts for the Central Science Laboratory

Lord Whitty: The 2000-01 Annual Report and Accounts for the Central Science Laboratory were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

Foot and Mouth Disease: Autumn Livestock Movements

Baroness Hilton of Eggardon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements will be put in place to allow autumn movements of livestock without spreading foot and mouth disease.

Lord Whitty: The department has had intensive discussions with a wide range of industry interests and the European Commisson about this, with a view to putting a strategy in place by the end of July, to apply from 1 September onwards. In the meantime, all possible action is being taken to eradicate the disease as soon as possible.
	All concerned are clear that in considering autumn livestock movements, control of foot and mouth disease and safeguarding animal welfare must continue to be our primary concerns. We are proceeding on the basis of veterinary and scientific advice. Full details will be published as soon as possible, but the arrangements for the autumn will cover the following aspects:
	the possibility of holding livestock markets in counties which have been free of foot and mouth disease for three months or more and where testing has been completed;
	the possibility of some relaxation in the criteria covering livestock movements outside infected areas; and
	the possibility of promoting the domestic consumption of lamb in particular, and of negotiating with the European Commission an early resumption of pigmeat and sheepmeat exports, while not disrupting the domestic food supply chain.
	We are formally asking the European Commission to introduce a Private Storage Aid Scheme for sheepmeat in the autumn and are discussing with them the possible adaptation of the livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme to handle disposal of surplus lambs, and in the medium term the possible use of quota suspension or buy-out.

Intermediate Care Services

Baroness Barker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much of the £900 million allocated for intermediate care over the next three years has been allocated:
	(a) to the National Health Service for this year; and
	(b) to social services departments for this year; and
	Why the proposed budget allocation for intermediate care services makes no specific grant for social services; and
	Whether any of the £900 million allocated for intermediate care has been included in the Promoting Independence Grant to local authorities which is earmarked for developing services which have similar aims to intermediate care; and
	If the money for intermediate care has not been included in the Promoting Independence Grant, what was the rationale for keeping it separate; and
	Whether money in the Promoting Independence Grant can be used for services that are designated as intermediate care services; and
	For each local authority, what notional allocations have been made in respect of intermediate care and related services.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Details of the funding of intermediate care and community equipment services were set out in a joint health service and local authority circular (HSC 2001/001--LAC (2001)1) Intermediate Care, issued on 19 January 2001. The circular refers to the personal social services grants, including the Promoting Independence Grant, which will play a particular part in funding services which deliver or support intermediate care. A copy has been placed in the Library.

National Health Service: Cost of Clinical Negligence Claims

Lord Colwyn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the total cost of clinical negligence claims in the National Health Service in England for each year from 1990 to 2000.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Figures on the amounts included in the National Audit Summarised Accounts for clinical negligence expenditure for the latest available years are as follows:
	1996-97: £235 million
	1997-98: £144 million
	1998-99: £221 million
	1999-2000: £373 million. Source: National Health Service Summarised accounts for health authorities, NHS trusts and NHS Litigation Authority.
	Figures prior to 1996-97 are not available because clinical negligence was not separately identified in the accounts prior to that date. Changes to accounting policies mean that these amounts are not directly comparable.

National Health Service: Cost of Clinical Negligence Claims

Lord Colwyn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans the Secretary of State for Health has to reduce the cost of clinical negligence in the National Health Service in England.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We announced on 10 July that we will produce a White Paper, for publication early next year, which will set out our plans for the reform of the system for dealing with clinical negligence claims within the National Health Service.
	The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Liam Donaldson, will chair a committee to explore a range of potential options for making the system faster and fairer for all concerned. The committee, which will include clinicians and patient representatives, will consult on the proposals with a view to publishing a White Paper setting out the Government's reform programme early next year.

Health Professions Council

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What concerns have been expressed to health Ministers on the need, in fitness to practise cases, for more than one member of the profession involved to be present at the Health Professions Council hearing; what response, if any, they have made; and whether there is any action they will be taking.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: There was strong support in responses to the initial consultation on proposals for a new Health Professions Council, primarily from National Health Service trusts and health authorities but also from professions and some individual practitioners, for a professional majority to hear individual cases.
	Responses to the formal consultation on the draft order on the Health Professions Council will be considered carefully and taken into account in the order which Parliament will be asked to approve.

Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centre

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 3 July (WA 35), when he received the letter dated 7 June from the Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centre in regard to additional prescribing rights for nurses in haemophilia centres; and when and in what terms they intend to reply.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Health replied to the letter from the Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital on 16 July. A copy of his reply has been sent to my noble friend.

Healthcare Provision

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath of 10 July (WA 72), what is their estimate of the period of time that will be required to achieve their ambition "to give our country the quality of healthcare provision that compares favourably with the best in Europe".

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The NHS Plan sets out a major programme of change, which will give us a National Health Service among the best in Europe. Change on the scale the NHS Plan outlines cannot happen overnight, which is why we have set a 10-year programme of reform. Implementation is progressing well. Increasingly, NHS systems and practices are being refocused on improving quality, and services to patients are improving.

Acute Patient Beds

Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many acute patient beds are currently available within National Health Service hospitals and private sector hospitals respectively.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The latest figures are for the year 1999-00. The average daily number of available acute beds for overnight wards in National Health Service trust for England is 107,218. Figures on the number of acute beds in private hospitals are not available. The total number of registered beds in private hospitals and clinics, England, 31 March 2000 was 10,753. This information is taken from return RH(N) completed by health authorities.

Civil Enforcement Review, Phase 2

Lord Burlison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made on Phase 2 of the Review of Civil Enforcement.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I am pleased to announce the publication of Towards Effective Enforcement, a Green Paper on the structure and regulation of enforcement and a single piece of bailiff law. It explores options for the regulation of all enforcement agents.
	The Paper discusses what legal powers are needed to allow agents to do the job properly and proposes principles for the fees for enforcement and costs of regulation. It also examines the possibilities of improving access to information and making better use of information through clear, precise and limited powers.
	The primary purpose of the Green Paper is to consider how best to achieve a fundamental improvement in warrant enforcement by opening up to public consultation a range of options and ideas for the future regulation of enforcement agents in England and Wales. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
	A White Paper will be published in early 2002 setting out proposals for legislation in the light of this public consultation. It will also cover revised procedures for attachment of earnings, garnishee orders and charging orders arising from Phase 1 of the review. At that stage it ought to be possible to develop a practical structure for warrant enforcement service delivery.

Research Councils: Quinquennial Review

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the outcome of the first stage of the quinquennial review of the six grant-awarding Research Councils will be announced; and what are its principal recommendations.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: I am today able to announce the outcome of the first stage of the quinquennial review of the six grant-awarding Research Councils. I shall be placing a copy of the stage 1 report in the Libraries of both Houses.
	Quinquennial reviews of Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) are a key part of our programme to modernise government. The Government are committed to achieving better public services that are of higher quality and are more responsive to the needs of the people who use them. Regular NDPB reviews are an important element in ensuring that we have in place the right structures to deliver the Government's agenda effectively and to provide a strong focus on improving future performance. Under Cabinet Office guidance (31 January 2000), such reviews should be conducted in two stages.
	The terms of reference for this review set the following objectives:
	the first stage would examine the role and organisation of the Research Councils, by reference to their charters and missions, and evidence of past practice. It would set the detailed terms of reference for the second stage;
	the second stage would examine the efficiency and effectiveness of the councils' operations and look for further opportunities for improving performance.
	The principal recommendation of stage 1 is that the Research Councils should continue to be executive NDPBs. The review concluded that:
	the councils are a necessary mechanism for the delivery of government policy for scientific research and postgraduate training;
	the councils, individually and collectively, are an important source of independent scientific advice to government;
	the councils' existing individual missions provide an effective focus for their communities;
	none of the alternative organisational models would offer equivalent benefits to the UK science and engineering base at the present time;
	the councils have made considerable progress in adopting new ways of working to generate efficiency savings, demonstrate value for money and maximise spending on science;
	NDPB status remains the most appropriate organisational model for maintaining the Haldane principle, ensuring effective accountability for public funds and engaging the scientific communities.
	Stage 2 of the Review will now examine four broad themes which were identified following the extensive stage 1 consultation. These are: mission, structure and governance; relations between the Research Councils and their clients; priority-setting and decision-making; the councils' management and internal processes. Working groups, whose members will include a wide range of stakeholders, will be considering these areas, and there has also been a second written consultation.
	I welcome these recommendations, and I am grateful to the members of the steering group for their work on this review.

National Postal Museum

Lord Mason of Barnsley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the future of the National Postal Museum; where the artefacts of the museum are stored; and whether they are accessible to the general public.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: This is a matter for Consignia plc, the successor company to the Post Office, who advise that they are in the process of identifying suitable premises for the National Postal Museum, with a view to the eventual opening of a new public gallery. Consignia's philatelic collection is currently available for viewing by the public at Freeling House in London by appointment only. Consignia's archives of the Post Office from the 17th to the 20th century are available for public viewing at Freeling House on weekdays without the need for an appointment. The remaining artefacts are currently stored at Freeling House.

Serious Fraud Office: Annual Report

Lord Hughes of Woodside: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Director of the Serious Fraud Office intends to publish her Annual Report.

Lord Goldsmith: I can confirm that I have today placed a copy of the Annual Report in the Library.

Director of Public Prosecutions: Annual Report

Lord Hughes of Woodside: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Director of Public Prosecutions intends to publish his Annual Report.

Lord Goldsmith: I can confirm that I have today placed a copy of the Annual Report in the Library.

Free Postage for Members of the House of Lords

Lord Beaumont of Whitley: asked the Leader of the House:
	Whether he will invite the House to accept Recommendation 20 of the Review Body on Senior Salaries (dealing with postage on parliamentary business); and, if so, when.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The question of free postage for Lords on parliamentary business is for the House to determine after consideration by the appropriate committees. The Finance and Staff Sub-Committee considered SSRB Recommendation No 20 at its meeting on 10 July. The Sub-Committee will submit a report to the Offices Committee, which in turn will report to the House. That report, which is likely to include a recommendation on when a scheme for free postage should be implemented, is likely to be considered by the House before the summer Recess.

House of Lords Working Practices

Baroness Hilton of Eggardon: asked the Leader of the House:
	Whether he has any plans to improve the working practices of the House.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: I have today set up a Leader's Group to consider how the working practices of the House can be improved, and to make recommendations.
	I will chair the group myself, and the other members will be Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe, Lord Craig of Radley, Lord Roper, Lord Strathclyde and Lord Waddington.
	I hope that the group will be able to report by Christmas.

Criminal Records Bureau: Annual Report and Accounts

Lord Ashley of Stoke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Criminal Record Bureau will publish its annual report and accounts for 2000-01.

Lord Rooker: The Criminal Records Bureau annual report and accounts has been published today and copies have been placed in the Library.

Animal Procedures Committee: Annual Report

Lord Davies of Coity: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish the Animal Procedures Committee annual report for 2000.

Lord Rooker: We have today published the committee's annual report for 2000, and laid it before Parliament pursuant to Section 20(5) of the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. We are pleased that the committee has continued to make progress on its extensive programme of work.

Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act: Statistics

Lord Davies of Coity: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish the figures relating to scientific procedures performed on living animals in Great Britain in 2000, licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Lord Rooker: The information requested will be published in full as a Command Paper on 26 July 2001. The Command Paper will contain a great deal of detailed statistical data. I can meanwhile report the following key facts:
	the number of procedures started in 2000 was just over 2.71 million, an increase of 58,000 (2.2 per cent) on 1999.
	66 per cent were for fundamental biological research and applied human and veterinary medicine, and 17 per cent for toxicological/safety testing (mostly for pharmaceutical evaluation purposes).
	82 per cent of the procedures involved use of rats, mice, and other rodents, and fish and birds were used in 14 per cent of the remainder.
	dogs, cats, horses and non-human primates, accorded special protection under the 1986 Act, were collectively used in less than 1 per cent of the procedures.
	the number of procedures involving the use of genetically modified animals, mostly mice, rose by 70,000 (14 per cent) to 582,000 in 2000.
	the total number of animals used for the first time in 2000 was 2.64 million, an increase of almost 74,000 (2.9 per cent) on 1999.

Asylum Support Adjudicators: Annual Report and Accounts

Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the asylum support adjudicators will publish their annual report and accounts for 2000-01.

Lord Rooker: The asylum support adjudicators annual report and accounts for 2000-01 will be published on Wednesday 25 July. A copy has been placed in the Library.

Prison Service: Annual Report and Accounts

Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to publish Her Majesty's Prison Service annual report for 2000-01.

Lord Rooker: The annual report and accounts for the Prison Service for 2000-01 has been laid before the House today. A copy will be placed in the Library.

Prisons: Target Costs

Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will confirm the final 2001-02 key performance indicator targets for average cost per uncrowded prison place and average cost per prisoner.

Lord Rooker: The final targets for 2001-02 are to ensure that the average cost per uncrowded prison place does not exceed £36,323; and to ensure that the average cost per prisoner does not exceed £37,509.

European Refugee Fund

Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which organisations successfully bid for funding under the European Refugee Fund for voluntary repatriation measures in 2000-01.

Lord Rooker: The International Organisation for Migration, with Refugee Action as an implementing partner, successfully bid for funding of three separate projects under this measure. All three projects are co-funded by the Home Office. They are: Voluntary Assisted Return Programme 2000: The project is open to any persons, subject to the European Refugee Fund criteria, who wish to return to their country of origin but do not have the means to do so. The programme aims, within a 12-month period, to organise a dignified and orderly return service to facilitate the return of 1,200 persons to their home destination. Information and assistance is made available, in the home country, to all returning persons. This project commenced in September 2000 and is therefore funded retrospectively. Somalia Project: This project aims to facilitate the sustainable return and reintegration of 100 Somali nationals currently living in the United Kingdom who have applied for asylum and now wish to go back to Somalia. The project will be concentrating on the regions of Somalia--predominantly Somaliland and Punt Land--where there is peace and conditions are conducive for the safe and orderly return and reintegration of Somali nationals. Voluntary Assisted Return Programme (VARP) 2001: This project, which will begin in September 2001, aims to continue the work already established by the earlier project (VARP 2000). The target is a further 1,200 voluntary returns. The same criteria will apply and it is intended that any identified improvements following evaluation of the VARP 2000 project will be incorporated into the programme.

Immigration Appeals: Human Rights Claim

Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What further right of appeal on human rights grounds is available to those who had appeals pending before the Immigration Appeals Authority, or where an in-time appeal could have been made, on 2 October 2000.

Lord Rooker: On 20 March, at col. WA153, my noble friend Lord Bassam, in reply to a question from Lord Lester of Herne Hill, clarified the position of asylum seekers who wished to make a human rights claim under Section 65 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. He confirmed that people appealing against immigration decisions made before 2 October 2000 cannot benefit from this appeal right which is not restrospective. But they could make a separate human rights claim and would have the opportunity to appeal except in those instances where the human rights issue had already been considered by the appellate authority or the courts, or there had been findings of fact at an earlier appeal which mean the human rights claim is bound to fail.
	However, it has been decided that the exception should not apply to people who had an appeal pending or could have lodged appeals in time to the Immigration Appeals Authority on 2 October 2000. If they make a human rights claim and it is rejected, they will be able to make an allegation and we will then give them an opportunity to appeal to the Immigration Appeals Authority.

Asylum and Race Relations: PolicyCo-ordination

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to ensure that the administration of asylum policy and the treatment of asylum seekers who are illegally present in the United Kingdom are clearly co-ordinated with their race relations policy objectives.

Lord Rooker: As Minister for Citizenship and Immigration, I work closely with my right honourable friend the Home Secretary and my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Europe, Community and Race Equality (Angela Eagle) to ensure effective co-ordination between the Government's policies on asylum and race relations. The Government have frequent contact with a range of representative bodies on the treatment of asylum applicants, and potential community relations implications are always carefully assessed before Immigration Service enforcement activities are carried out.
	In addition, the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 has extended the Race Relations Act 1976 to cover the administration of immigration and asylum laws and other law enforcement activities. In managing the asylum system, the Home Office has a statutory duty to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination and to promote good relations between people of different racial groups. The Act provides a right of action for those who allege that the immigration authorities have discriminated against them unlawfully on racial grounds. The Act provides appropriate safeguards for necessary and legitimate activity by immigration staff which is required by law or properly authorised by Ministers.

Asylum Seekers: Voucher System

Lord Judd: asked her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will now replace the voucher system for asylum seekers with cash payments; if not, why not.

Lord Rooker: A review of the operation of the asylum voucher scheme is ongoing and we will announce our conclusions in due course.

Disturbances in Bradford, Burnley and Oldham

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they intend to take to combat the spread of racial prejudice and violence, incitement to racial hatred and disorder in Bradford, Burnley and Oldham.

Lord Rooker: I refer the noble Lord to the Statement I made to the House on 10 July 2001, Official Report, col. 1038, which set out the earlier statement made by my right honourable friend the Home Secretary on the disturbances in Bradford.

Voluntary and Community Organisations: Central Government Funding

Baroness Wilkins: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish a report on central government funding of voluntary and community organisations.

Lord Rooker: We are today announcing the publication of the latest research into central government funding of voluntary and community organisations. It reveals that total government funding for the year 1999-2000 was £2.2 billion--a rise in real terms of 5.4 per cent over the last two years. A copy of the report Central Government Funding of Voluntary and Community Organisations 1982-83 to 1999-2000 has been placed in the Library.
	The amount spent by each department in 1998-99 and 1999-2000 was as follows:
	
		
			 Departments 1998-99 (£) 1999-2000 (£) 
			 Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries &  Food 346,400 368,265 
			 Cabinet Office 2,473,761 2,473,761 
			 Crown Prosecution Service 5,000 0 
			 Department of Culture, Media &  Sport 219,286,178 247,449,533 
			 Ministry of Defence 15,638,725 15,099,220 
			 Department for Education &  Employment 96,055,271 167,393,594 
			 Department of the Environment,  Transport & Regions 950,353,834 1,042,711,540 
			 Foreign and Commonwealth Office 7,707,459 9,645,839 
			 Department of Health 59,992,313 60,273,422 
			 Home Office 73,210,511 79,790,487 
			 Inland Revenue 0 30,000 
			 Department for International  Development 181,577,000 195,269,000 
			 Lord Chancellor's Department 22,497,467 3,285,565 
			 Department of Social Security 14,535,775 13,508,767 
			 Department of Trade & Industry 17,328,000 16,106,000 
			 Northern Ireland Executive Not available Not available 
			 Scottish Executive 282,129,574 289,888,456 
			 National Assembly for Wales 110,107,441 95,104,573

Benefits Policy: Research

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that a specific budget should be established for research into the adequacy of income support and other benefits.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: We do not believe there should be a specific budget. The department has a large programme of research to meet the information needs of Ministers, the department and its agencies. Priorities are reviewed annually and a programme is devised to assist the department in the development, implementation and evaluation of policy.

School Ancillary Workers: Poverty Trap

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they accept the view expressed by Lord Scott of Foscote in his dissenting speech of 28 June 2001 in Chief Adjudication Officer v. Stafford and Another that the effect of the relevant social security legislation on school ancillary workers who are single and not eligible for Family Credits is that they are "firmly caught in a poverty trap", if so, whether they will introduce amending legislation to eliminate the poverty trap; and, if not, what are their reasons for disagreeing with his conclusion.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The Government are considering the House of Lords judgment of 28 June.

Child Poverty Reduction Target: Assumptions

Lord Higgins: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Answer by Baroness Hollis of Heigham about child poverty on 10 July, what assumptions have been made about the take-up of each benefit and credit in calculating that 1.2 million children will be lifted out of poverty by 2001.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: This is calculated using HMT's policy simulation model. The estimate assumes full take-up of income-related benefits for non-pensioners and is consistent with the estimate that around 5 million families will benefit from the introduction of the Children's Tax Credit and that up to 1.4 million families will benefit from the Working Families' Tax Credit.
	This estimate has been corroborated by independent research carried out by Holly Sutherland at Cambridge University.

New Deal: Numbers Moving into Work

Lord Northbourne: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many young people have moved off welfare into work since the beginning of the New Deal; and how many of them were fathers and how many were mothers.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Latest figures to the end of April 2001 show that just over 299,000 young people have left the New Deal for Young People for work. Of these, around 221,000 were young men and 78,000 were young women.
	Information on parental status is not available.

Westminster Foundation for Democracy: Annual Report

Baroness Hilton of Eggardon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Annual Report of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy will be available.

Baroness Amos: The foundation has continued its crucial work in building democracy overseas, through a variety of targeted programmes ranging from the fostering of good governance, to the promotion of civil society. The demands have been great, and the foundation has had some notable successes. The highlight was its work in Serbia, where, through a wide-ranging programme of work, it helped the Serbian people to assert their democratic rights. Work elsewhere in the Balkans, Africa and Central and Eastern Europe has also continued to bear fruit. In 2000-01, the foundation received a grant-in-aid of £4,155,000 from the FCO. Copies of the Annual Report have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Diplomatic Personnel: Serious Offences

Baroness Uddin: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many serious offences were allegedly committed in 2000 by persons entitled to immunity by virtue of their employment by a diplomatic mission or an international organisation, and how many such offences were committed by their dependants.

Baroness Amos: From a community of over 19,500 persons entitled to immunity, 19 serious offences, allegedly committed by such persons, were drawn to the attention of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2000. "Serious offences" are defined in accordance with the 1985 White Paper on Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges--i.e. as offences that would, in certain circumstances, carry a penalty of 12 months' or more imprisonment.

Hong Kong and the Sino-British Joint Declaration: Report

Baroness Turner of Camden: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish the next report to Parliament on Hong Kong and the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

Baroness Amos: The ninth report in this series, covering the period January-June 2001, was published today and copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House. A copy of the report is also available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website (www.fco.gov.uk). The report includes a foreword by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Cultural Property: Ratification ofHague Convention

Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their timetable for accession by the United Kingdom to the convention for the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict (The Hague Convention 1954) and its two protocols; and whether there is any problem which requires clarification prior to accession.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Her Majesty's Government are giving active consideration to the ratification of the 1954 Hague Convention along with its protocols. Ratification would require primary legislation that would depend upon parliamentary time available. As a result, we cannot commit to a specific timetable.
	The UK remains fully committed to the protection of cultural property in time of armed conflict in accordance with international law, including the relevant provisions of the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Convention which the UK ratified in 1998.

Teachers' Workload:NAHT Recommendations

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the recent recommendation by the National Association of Head Teachers that the teachers' working year should be increased from 195 to 200 days, with a 40-hour working week, and that there should be a large increase in bursars and administrative staff to release teachers from administrative burdens, giving them the scope to teach more, and for head teachers to lead.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) have not made recommendations on the teachers' working year or working week in their recent submission to the teachers' workload study. My right honourable friend agrees that numbers of bursars and administrative staff should be increased.

RAF Menwith Hill: Construction Works

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How, if as stated by the Lord Bach the new construction works at Menwith Hill may not be debated in Parliament (H.L. Deb., 5th July, column 873), they can test the opinion of the British people through Parliament as to whether or not they wish to be part of the new developments required by the United States National Missile Defence system.

Lord Bach: The construction works referred to relate to the European Relay Ground Station of the Space Based Infra-Red System (SBIRS). Permission to site this at RAF Menwith Hill was given in March 1997. SBIRS is designed to detect the launch of ballistic missiles. It will replace an existing infra-red detection system that helped, for example, to warn of Scud launches during the Gulf War. The system is necessary irrespective of any decisions by the US on missile defence, and is being handled as a separate project. We have received no request from the US for the use of facilities in the UK for missile defence purposes.

US Defence Equipment Supplies to UK

Lord Hardy of Wath: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they expect the Defense Protection and Allocation System in place in the United States adversely to affect the security of supply of essential defence equipment for the United Kingdom.

Lord Bach: We do not expect the United States Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) to adversely affect the security of supply of essential defence equipment for the UK. The UK has benefited from DPAS in the past. For example, the United States Government used the DPAS to ensure timely delivery of defence articles for the UK during the Gulf War.

Bowman Radio Communications System

Lord Howie of Troon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made on the Bowman project.

Lord Bach: The Bowman project will provide the Armed Forces with a modern, highly capable tactical combat radio communications system to replace Clansman, which has been in service since the mid-1970s. It will provide secure, reliable communications to our land forces and selected elements of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. The system will also implement a tactical internet and provide automatic position location, navigation and reporting.
	Last summer, in the light of major problems with the programme, the competition for the Bowman combat radio was re-launched. Following careful analysis of the bids submitted by Thales, TRW and CDC, I have decided that CDC, a subsidiary of General Dynamics already operating in the UK, should be selected as the preferred supplier of this system.
	Our priority has been to deliver a successful solution that fills the capability gap at the earliest opportunity. CDC has offered a solution that fully meets the military requirement and represents the best value for money. I am confident that it will meet our demanding timetable for getting this vital equipment into service with the Armed Forces. It is based on the development of a proven system, and includes best of class radios and a very efficient approach to fielding and support. Its bid is the clear winner of the competition.
	The Ministry of Defence and CDC will now work together on the programme to bring Bowman into service. We aim to be in a position to let the contract in late summer this year, in support of an In Service Date in early 2004. The contract is valued at around £1.8 billion. It will cover both the supply of the Bowman system and the first five years of support up to the year 2009.
	CDC's solution will provide employment opportunities in the UK in a broad range of system areas, including design, development, manufacture and project management. Ninety per cent of the work content of the CDC bid will be UK based--the highest proportion of any of the three bids. Around 1,600 jobs will be secured across the UK, including 400 new high technology and support posts at the company's headquarters, which CDC plan to establish in South Wales. The company has also earmarked South Wales for a new Army Communications Technology research and development centre, which will be staffed by around 65 leading scientists. Other regions will benefit too. We expect sub-contract work to secure over 100 jobs in Scotland, over 300 jobs in South West England, and around 75 jobs in the South East centred on Hastings. Major UK sub-contractors include Alvis and GKN-Westlands.
	This month will also see the first deliveries, ahead of schedule, of the Personal Role Radios, a new capability which was separated from the main Bowman requirement in 1999 in order to ensure early delivery to the front line. These radios will provide short range communications for dismounted infantry, and will transform their operations.

Gulf War Veterans: Mortality

Lord Blease: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the latest figures for deaths of Gulf veterans, and amongst the control group.

Lord Bach: Peer reviewed scientific data comparing the mortality of UK Gulf veterans with an era group of service personnel who did not deploy to the Gulf were published for the first time in the Lancet on 1 July 2000. Updates to these figures were provided by the Ministry of Defence to the House on 20 July 2000 and 22 January 2001. The MoD had undertaken to continue to monitor the mortality of both Gulf veterans and the era group and will publish updated figures on a regular basis. The figures as at 30 June 2001 are shown in the table.
	Overall, in the period 1 April 1991 to 30 June 2001 the mortality of UK Gulf veterans was no different than that of the control group. The number of Gulf veterans dying from disease related causes is rather fewer than for the control group, whereas the number of Gulf veterans dying of external causes is rather higher than for the control group. The MoD will conduct a more detailed analysis of accidental deaths, to establish where there are any underlying trends that might help to explain this.
	
		Deaths of UK Gulf veterans (Note: 1) 1 April 1999-30 June 2001 Causes (coded to ICD-9) (Note: 2)
		
			 ICD Chapter  Cause of death  Gulf  Era Mortality Rate Ratio 
			  All deaths 496 494 1.00 
			  All cause coded  deaths 485 473 1.02 
			 I-XVI Disease-related  causes 179 216 0.83 
			 I Infectious and  parasitic diseases 3 2 1.49 
			 II Cancers 71 77 0.92 
			 III Endocrine and  immune disorders 1 4 0.25 
			 V Mental disorders 9 11 0.81 
			 VI Diseases of the  nervous system and sense organs 7 6 1.16 
			 VII Diseases of the  circulatory system 66 86 0.76 
			 VIII Diseases of the  respiratory system 10 5 1.99 
			 IX Diseases of the  digestive system 9 14 0.64 
			 IV, X-XVI All other disease- related causes 3 11 0.27 
			  
			 EXVII External causes of  injury and  poisoning 306 257 1.18 
			  Railway accidents 4 1 3.98 
			  Motor vehicle  accidents 110 88 1.24 
			  Water transport  accidents 4 1 3.98 
			  Air and space  accidents 25 17 1.46 
			  Other vehicle  accidents 0 1 0.00 
			  Accidental  poisoning 10 13 0.77 
			  Accidental falls 8 6 1.33 
			  Accidents due to  fire/flames 0 1 0.00 
			  Accidents due to  natural  environmental  factors 2 2 1.00 
			  Accidents due to  submersion/ suffocation/foreign bodies 16 6 2.65 
			  Other accidents 31 27 1.14 
			  Late effects of  accident/injury 0 2 0.00 
			  Suicide and injury  undetermined  whether accidental 88 84 1.04 
			  Homicide 5 4 1.24 
			  Injury resulting  from the  operations of war 3 4 0.75 
			  Other deaths for  which coded cause  data are not yet  available 9 18 
			  Overseas deaths for  which cause data  are not available 2 3 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Service and ex-Service personnel only.
	3. World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases 9th revision 1977.